Fantastic Latin night in Las Vegas. At the MGM Grand Arena, right on the Sin City Strip, Spanish music was louder than ever. Mariachi, salsa, ballads, reggaeton, bachata, Mexican regionals… reigned at the Latin Grammy, or Latin Grammy, where Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso and Bad Bunny, the most nominated artist of the evening, triumphed with five awards each. But the Puerto Rican won the main award, album of the year, for his huge success I SHOULD TAKE MORE PHOTOS. “I thank God, my mother for having brought me into the world; mum, dad, I love you, my brothers, I love them. I love music, I love what I do, being together with passionate people”, recognized the artist, who dedicated it to those who worked with him. “Love as much as you can. I want to dedicate this award to all the children and young people of Latin America and especially to those of Puerto Rico. Never stop dreaming. Never forget where you come from, but without forgetting Dad where they go There are many ways to make a homeland. “Puerto Rico, I love you,” he said, in the only politically tinged speech of the evening.
Shortly before, the award for best song had gone to If I had met you soonerby Karol G, one of the biggest hits of recent months. “Don’t interrupt me, I’ve been thinking about something all day,” said the Colombian. “Lately everyone has an opinion, professional or non-professional,” he said. “In a certain way I started to feel that everything I did stopped being right and that I was losing my magic, losing my charm,” he confessed. “The only thing left from all of this was to get back to the roots, the intention and the purpose. I do what I love because I love it and because I was born for it. I’m not saying this for myself, I’m saying this because there are a lot of people in the house who think they’re not enough,” he said. “Forget the world, live life, which is only one.”
The surprise came with the best recording, which was for Palm trees in the gardenby Alejandro Sanz, who acknowledged that thanks to his new songs he has regained his enthusiasm. “Music has been my life, after so many years I have fallen in love with it again and I am receiving it with the greatest enthusiasm in the world. Benito, I stole it from you, forgive me”, the Madrid native said laughing, given that Bad Bunny was the bet as the winner of the evening. “Thanks to the Hispanic culture, which is ours. It’s stronger than ever and it’s not going anywhere.”
But at the gala, Maluma started the evening with Carlos Santana, singing Hey, how’s it going?and he also played guitar Barbed Heartaccompanied by Grupo Frontera. Together with Puerto Rican actress and singer Rosalyn Sánchez, the Colombian singer was in charge of hosting the gala. “I invite you to look to the future of our music with joy and optimism,” said Maluma, who confessed to being a little nervous about the assignment.
In the pre-gala (where 51 of the 60 prizes were awarded), Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio had already won two DTMF and the third, the best urban music album, arrived quickly. “I get nervous like the first time, this means that what I do matters to me and matters a lot,” said the Puerto Rican, thanking his family, the Academy “and all those who believed in this project”. Subsequently he also won the award for best urban song for the same song that gives the album its name. “Most of the time… well, I never train speech because I never have in mind that I will win; If I win I say a few words that come to mind. I would like you to hug the person next to you.” And yes, there were hugs in the room.
At the pre-gala, among others, Alejandro Sanz won the award for best contemporary pop album, and Karol G and Aitana also won an award each. Rawayana took home Best Latin Electronic Music Performance; Thunder, with Freshbest rap song; it was pop-rock at its best Fabulous disasters, by Jorge Drexler and Getting to Know Russia; and there was a tie in the rock one, between Renee (The tower) and Fito Páez (the sun comes out).
During the party, the awards for the best Mexican ranchera music album were also awarded, which went to Christian Nodal Who likes me more?, and best contemporary Mexican music album, for Carín León Word cough (dry)who stated on stage that “nerves are never lost”, and dedicated it to Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury: “Long live music with all its voices!”
The award for best debut artist went to Paloma Morphy: “If you are sad and you don’t see a path or find the desire to give it forward“Do it, maybe you’ll end up at the Grammys,” said the young Mexican. The award for best traditional tropical album was won by Gloria Estefan, with her album Roots. She dedicated it to the Academy, to her children and above all to her husband, Emilio Estefan: “Thank you for the beautiful songs you wrote for me, the impeccable production that characterizes you, the 50 years spent making music together, I love you”. The Cuban took to the stage shortly after to demonstrate her usual power and with her she brought out Nathy Peluso to sing Chirriqui Chirri. “Long live salsa!” – shouted the Argentine.
With only nine awards given out in three hours, the performances are the highlight of the gala. In addition to Maluma and Santana, Aitana sang (who set the stage on fire), followed by Alejandro Sanz and also Rauw Alejandro, who launched into a bachata, because as he said: “Problems are solved by dancing.” So, his performance was accompanied by traditional masks, percussion and even a zapateao.
Mexico’s presence was very powerful at the gala. Youngsters DannyLux, Kakalo and Ivan Cornejo showed the potential of the Mexican regional team. Much more classical and full of strength, with mariachi and even charrería with the jaripeo bow, Pepe Aguilar performed, whose daughter, Ángela Aguilar, encouraged him and sang in the audience, while the dancers from Tapatío syrup and Jalisco danced and sprinted, flying with their brightly colored skirts. Two of the most powerful Mexican groups on the Mexican scene were also present and performed together: Fuerza Regida (at the beginning all with their faces covered by a black veil) and Grupo Frontera, who sang their I pull myself halfway, and also Marlboro Redfor which they took to the front, singing among Raphael’s relatives and Bad Bunny. Carín León and Kacey Musgraves made a mix “Texas Encounter (meets) Hermosillo,” as Maluma said, with his Lost in translation.
The young Venezuelan Elena Rose appeared on stage with huge white wings to sing her song next to a piano. I deserve it. After her, Maluma proudly announced his compatriot, Karol G, who sang to the rhythm of the guitar and together with Marco Antonio Solís Collect wounds. Also the Colombians Morat (winners for best pop/rock album for It’s already tomorrow) touched his you miss it.
And then came the big revelation: the Argentines Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso, who won five awards, even if all pre-gala: best music video short version and long version, best alternative music album for Dadthe best alternative song by #boobs and the best pop song for friends party. They triumphed at Coachella and continue to conquer wherever they go. In Las Vegas they did it with a mix of songs, The impostor, #Boobs AND What can, can, Friends Day…and four very muscular guys in underwear sewing pillows that they threw to the audience.
Behind them, Bad Bunny with the band Chuwi. The Puerto Rican, with his face half covered by the hood of his jacket and with a beach and palm trees in the background, sang WELTITA. And then two powerful young women took the stage, both Venezuelan Joaquina and Brazilian Liniker. The Tigres del Norte, who won with them The lottery for Best Regional Mexican Song and Best Northern Music Album, they sang the award-winning song to close the stage.
Another of the fundamental moments was the one starring Raphael, who the day before had received the Person of the Year award at a gala full of emotions. At the gala he was again rewarded “for being a true ambassador of music”, which is why he took to the stage again. It started with What no one knowswith his characteristic stream of voice, flawless at 82 years old, after a liver transplant 20 years ago and a recent brain lymphoma. Then he continued with one of his most famous songs, my big nightchosen by many of the evening’s artists as their favorite from Jaén, and which put the theater back on its feet.
Subsequently, Gloria Estefan and Marco Antonio Solís presented him with the award. “There are artists who have marked eras and then there is you, Raphael”, Estefan told him, “who has marked them all”. “You are my personal idol,” I told him. “In this new journey I am happy to meet many friends,” said the Spaniard. “I solemnly promise that I will return.”
The always colorful and popular Latin Grammys had their chapter of curious presenters, including Sergio Ramos, who introduced the award for best urban music album; or Miguel Rojas, the Venezuelan baseball star of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Because if the Latin Grammys are anything, besides an awards ceremony, they are, after all, a party.
